Homemade Hamburger Helper Lasagna Recipe (2024)

Enjoy a speedy, one-pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna recipe that’s healthier and family-friendly! With just 15 minutes of prep, it’s a fresh take on an American classic, ready in under an hour.

I love recreating new recipes based on childhood comfort foods, and this one pan lasagna is just that!I guess you can call this a copycat recipe!

I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!

Simple Ingredients for Hamburger Helper Lasagna

• Oil| Use quality olive oil to saute the onions and cook the ground beef.
• Onion| Enhance the natural flavor of the beef with one small yellow onion, finely chopped.
• Ground beef| Grab a pound of ground beef. I used my go-to favorite – 90/10, lean grass-fed, beef.
• Tomato paste| Achieve a fresh and robust tomato flavor with a can of tomato paste.
• Garlic| Use fresh garlic, not garlic powder, for the most authentic flavor.
• Seasonings | We’ll use Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and, of course, kosher salt and black pepper.
• Crushed tomatoes| I love the Pomi brand when a recipe calls for crushed tomatoes.
• Beef Broth| Thin the sauce without compromising flavor using beef broth. A quality beef broth, not condensed beef broth, goes a long way in this recipe.
• Pasta| For the perfect texture, use uncooked mini lasagna-shaped pasta and avoid “no-boil” or “oven-ready” noodles. Mafalda pasta is perfect!
• Cheese| Load the dish with classic Italian cheeses, like shredded mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and whole milk ricotta cheese. Shredding or grating from a block of cheese produces the best flavor and will melt the best.

Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.

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How to Make Lasagna Hamburger Helper

Step 1 | Saute onions and brown beef

First, heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet (a deep skillet works best) over medium-high heat. Cook the diced onions for about three to five minutes, stirring occasionally until soft and translucent.

Next, add the lean ground beef and cook beef for three to five minutes until it is crumbled and browned. Use a wooden spoon to break it up into small pieces. Sprinkle on the salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning, and pour the tomato paste over the ingredients, cooking for just a few minutes while mixing well.

Step 2 | Add tomatoes and cook noodles

Then, toss in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and noodles. Once the ingredients are brought to a boil, reduce the temperature to low heat and cover the pan. Gently simmer the dish for 18 to 20 minutes or until the pasta is tender– ideally al dente. Stir the recipe every few minutes to avoid sticking to the pan.

Step 3 | Add cheeses and finish

Now, sprinkle in half of the shredded parmesan and mozzarella cheese to cook uncovered for a couple of minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and spoon the ricotta cheese into the tomato saucemix, pressing it gently into the mixture.

Finally, add the rest of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese and cover the dish to melt the cheese for about five minutes. Uncover the pan, garnish, serve, and enjoy your delicious dinner!

The fewer dishes, the better! Some of my favorite recipes are those that create a meal to serve the whole family but use only one pan. Try more of my easy weeknight dinner recipes, like thispopular Philly Cheesesteak Sliders, this French Onion Chicken Skillet Recipe, orOne Pan Tuscan Chicken and this yummy Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole.

Variations & Substitutions

• Replace the fresh garlic with one heaping teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Swap the ground beef for Italian sausage, ground pork, ground turkey, ground chicken, or a blend of your favorites – Don’t forget to drain the excess fat from the fattier meats!
• Go vegetarian, adding more vegetables, like mushroom, zucchini, spinach, bell peppers, or a combination.
• If you can’t find mini lasagna noodles, use regular ones broken into 1 ½ or 2-inch pieces, bow-tie pasta, or egg noodles.
• Replace the crushed tomatoes with a store-bought marinara sauce. You may need to add additional liquid to the recipe.
• Make your own Italian seasoning blend combine – basil, oregano, rosemary, marjoram, thyme, and red pepper flakes.
• A traditional lasagna recipe uses ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan, but you can use your preferred cheeses, like cheddar cheese or colby jack. Cottage cheese can be used as a substitute for ricotta.
• Beef broth may be substituted with chicken stock or chicken broth if desired.

Recommended Tools

• I love my Staub extra deep skillet with lid for these meals!

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Storage Tips

Refrigerate– Save leftover lasagna by storing it in an airtight container for up to four days. Remember first to allow it to cool to room temperature before storing.

How to Freeze– For longer storage, freeze this easy ground beef pasta recipe in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to two months.

Reheating– Reheat the meal from frozen by allowing it to thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, microwave it or warm it in a skillet, slowly adding small amounts of water.

Best sides to serve with Hamburger Helper lasagna recipe

While this is easily a meal, serve it with a crisp Italian Chopped Salad, or these easy Romaine Wedge Salad or my stovetop french style green beans.

Best Desserts to Serve with Cheesy Lasagna Hamburger Helper

End this delicious meal on a sweeter note with light and crispItalian Pizzelle Cookies, silky and sweetCream Puff Cake recipe, or this Tiramisu with custard and mascarpone– Yum!

More Easy Pasta Dinners

• One Pot Creamy Sausage Pasta
• Gemelli Pasta Recipe
• Penne alla Vodka with Sausage
• Bow Tie pasta

Slowly adding ingredients and mixing well between each is key to making the perfect hamburger helper lasagna recipe!

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